Tech Net P

Issue: Transmitting through the Pactor prevents the inverter from turning on.
Comments:
Reduce the power on the Pactor.
Turn down the audio output, which can be done through the terminal window on your computer.
Use ferrites on control cable to inverter.
Separate the inverter control cable from the KISS system.  Keep KISS cable away from everything else.
Try transmitting on different frequencies.
Drop the power by 30%.  This will not prevent connection, but will be helpful.

Issue: Got an error message that Pactor lost power. The computer rebooted and Pactor never came up again.
Comment:
There's a plug in the back of the Pactor to plug directly into DC.

Issue: I need to turn on the inverter in order for the modem to connect, yet the inverter causes interference until it connects.
Comments:
Inverter control wires may be running parallel to radio wires.  Use ferrites on Xantrex controller cable at both ends.
Test: Unplug the control wire at Xantrex.  If problem does not occur, then proceed with ferrites.
Update: on test:  Unplugging control cable caused problem to disappear. Next step: reroute wires and add ferrites.

Issue: Computer locks up when transmitting with Pactor 3. Am using Icom 802 with USB to serial port adapter.
Comments:
Operate on low power.
Add ferrites on USB, move radio and computer physically further apart.
Add ferrites to computer control cable.
Rotate laptop and this may change the orientation of antennas.
Check ferrite tightness. Use wire tie if loose; add ferrite on mouse too. (Fooling Around)
Use heavy gauge wire between modem and computer ground. Use the monitor connector screws to do it. (C_Language)
Radioworks.com has line isolators which may help. (Samana)
Loop wire through the ferrite twice. (Salty Paws)
Update: success. Installed a USB 2.0 cable as others are not sufficient.

Issue: Cannot get the modem to make radio transmit.
Suggestions:
Disconnect the radio from the modem. Check output of radio using microphone. Temporarily ground 'push to talk' signal on cable going to radio. Is the front panel pulsing? This test will determine if circuitry of modem is the problem.
Be careful about ground and power wires to modem; it may fry.
Verify ground 'push to talk.' Check for signal.
Use a low wattage light bulb (12 watts) to provide small resistance when testing the 'push to talk' signal. This will protect the circuit.
Verify comm port settings.
Find Telnet settings in the tool box option.
Should see LEDs on Pactor when in transmit mode.
Make sure the right radio type is checked under setup.
Check 'yes' if radio frequency is controlled by MODEM.

Query: How to hook the Pactor modem and Icom to a new computer?
Comments:
Go to device manager on your computer. Find USB adapter virtual serial port. You can do this by plugging and unplugging the USB cable. One port will appear and disappear as you do so. It may be COM1..COM10, or sometimes higher. Set the Airmail software COM port to match the USB serial virtual port that is found.

Issue: USB Pactor Modem loses USB connection when transmitting above 5 mHz.
Suggestions:
Get a good ground on the tranceiver.
Try more ferrite.
There may be a DC bias on audio line between modem and computer, try ferrite on it.
Physically move the computer a distance from the modem and it may reduce RF interference.
Use on low or medium power.
Use an isolator between radio and the tuner.
Ground the PC.

Issue: Transmission problems occur if the computer is plugged into a 12 volt inverter; runs good on the computer battery.
Comments:
It may be a ground loop.
There may be noise in the inverter.
Try ferrite cores.
Physically move the computer farther from the radio.
Jumper to AC/DC adapter.
Disconnect radio from ground wire.
Update: Solved. Using medium power solved the problem.

Query: How to enable Pactor 3 modem and update call signs and code?
Suggestions:
Go to tools/options menu.
Download firmware option.

Query: How to set the license key for Airmail to a new Pactor 3?
Suggestions:
Find Airmail menu: Tools > options > settings. This will lead to a file for license entry.
Also look at Tools > dumb terminal > help > license.

Pactor online

(also Icom, single sideband)

ENGINE PARTS
Query: How to prep for new paint on a generator?
Suggestions:
Flake all failed paint down to metal.
Use sandpaper to feather the edges.
Use Ospho rust remover/converter; it's a good primer for rusty parts.
Leave aluminum parts bare. Moisture can build beneath it and continue to corrode the metal.
Use CRC heavy Duty Rust Inhibitor on bare aluminum parts, and don't paint over it. (Not for use on exterior aluminum.)
Prime with zinc chromate then paint with epoxy. This works for aluminum parts as well.

Rustoleum Appliance Paint works great for repainting engine parts. (Dyad)

FYI: Paint failure might be caused by overheating. Use heat resistant paint. (St Jude)

POR
Use POR-15 paint system for engines. It works on various metals.
POR has a variety of formulas for various needs.
POR-15 is UV sensitive. Choose another POR formula for exterior use.
POR is only available online. (St Jude)

POR gave good results on my generator; much harder than the original Awlgrip. (Valkyrie)
Update: POR-15 is still good after two years on multiple metals; even after a diesel spill. (Valkyrie)

Used POR on outboard engine with good results. (Valkyrie)

WOOD
I mixed lacquer thinner into epoxy paint, then painted the open grain edges of wood with it.  This allowed the paint to penetrate the grain easily and seal the edges.  (C_Language)


FYI: Next Gen is aware of chronic paint failure. They have since remedied the problem. (Valkyrie)

Use Rustoleum High Heat Paint on aluminum frames on hatches.  It lasts five or more years and does not peel. (Reflection)

Rustoleum with mildewcide additive really worked.  No mildew on long term storage. (Naked Lady)

Use Krylon paint for plastic. (Salty Paws)

Coat antennas with epoxy paint. (Valkyrie)

Awlgrip is excellent, but it does require good prep work to avoid paint failure. (Shamal)

Use a toothbrush to apply paint to confined areas.

(also bottom paint)

ONLINE SOURCES
Airstarsolutions.com (Discovery)
All Electronics (C_Language)
Boats.net (Dyad)
McMaster.com (St Jude)
Mouser.com (Cutter Passages)
Sparepartswarehouse.com (Beluga)
Wholesalemarine.com (Salty Paws)

Fastenal carries a huge variety of regular stuff and 'oddball' pieces. Better prices, friendly, and small quantity purchases are fine.
They also have a few retail stores near cruising destinations:
Portland, ME. (Salty Paws)
Annapolis, MD with very cheap prices. (Salty Paws)
Havelock, NC (Dyad)
Ft Meyers, FL with prices approaching West Marine. (Valkyrie)

Thumbs Down:
Pat's Small Engine [Plus or Parts] out of Bethel, MN.
PayPal successfully refunded payment since the company neither shipped the goods or responded to e-mails or phone calls. Google this company to read more. (Dyad)
This also serves as a reminder to research any company you're thinking about doing business with in advance of placing an order.

WALK-IN SOURCES
Marine Supply and Oil Company 150 Riberia St Augustine
Marine Consignment Shop in Oriental, NC
Ace Hardware a great place for parts. (C_Language)

FYI: Select Plastics repairs and reconditions boat hatches and carries a variety of other plastic parts. (Discovery)

FINDING PARTS IN THE BAHAMAS
Query: Where can I find Yanmar and Northern Lights parts?
Comment:
Next to impossible to locate. Suggest using air freight from Florida.

Yamaha outboards are available in Nassau. Reasonably priced.

Automotive Industry Distributer aka AID in Nassau is the local Napa Parts dealer.  They carry batteries, etc.
Bay Street Automotive in Nassau...thumbs up. (Cookie Monster)
There's also an alternator repair shop in the same area. (Discovery)

STORING THEM
Cookie tins are good for storing electronic parts. (Salty Paws)
Check the condition of stored parts periodically. Use CRC Heavy Duty Rust Inhibitor to prevent rust from condensation. (Shamal)
Wrap parts in paper first, as it seems to absorb water. Then wrap in plastic. (C_Language)
Storing parts in the engine room helps keep them healthy. (Dyad)

THINGS THAT WORK
Used telescoping TV antennas can be found in thrift shops. Every diameter you'll need for spare metal parts is there. (Salty Paws) 

Draining cooked pasta:
Hold the lid in place leaving a small space to drain
the water.
Use a colander.
Use a slotted spatula device.
(more galley tips)

Issue: Pinholes in stainless steel sink. They were filled with JB Weld a year ago, but it has dropped off.
Comments:
POR has a product use for sealing fuel tanks, etc. It comes in a small tube. This may be useful to you.
Use tape on the opposite side when applying patch material. Remove the tape when cured.
To prep, use Barkeepers Friend to remove all rust and residue.
Use Marine Tex (gray). Patch both sides of the holes. Feather edges on the inside of your sink.

Query: What's recommended to fill a 3/8" hole in fiberglass?
Suggestions:
JB Weld.
use a putty product to prevent runs if working on a vertical surface.
Marine Tex. It's stiff and easy to work.

things that work
Epoxy faring compound System Three QuickFair.  Works well, cures fast enough to get two layers done in a day.  Hamilton Marine carries it. (Dyad)

Liquid Wrench is good, but P.B. Blaster is even better for loosening rusted nuts, bolts, etc. (Destiny)

It works on stuck rings; breaks down the carbon. Remove the injector and spray in the P.B. Blaster. (Llamados III)

It also makes a good preservative coat.

WallyWorld carries this product.

FYI: Caution for use. P.B. Baster ate trans output seal. It's a solvent that can dissolve rubber parts such as gaskets. Lesson: don't overspray.

Roosting in the Rigging

Query: What's a good bird deterrent?
Suggestions:
Hang a plastic owl on your boat.
Use a long, streaming neon pennant. (Chanteclair)
A blast from an air horn could work, but you won't make friends in the anchorage.

(also insects)

Query: What's the best tool for removing pet hair from various surfaces onboard?
Comments:
Use a squeegee to remove pet hair from upholstery and flat surfaces.
Squeegees don't work well on ultra suede.

Query: Where to buy SIM cards in the Bahamas?
Suggestion: Try Batelco.
Comments:
SIM cards need an unlocked cell phone to work.
Google search will find info about how to unlock a phone.
Can purchase cards in various denominations.
ATT Cingular or Nextell phones support the cards.
Incoming and outgoing calls are charged.

Query: Internet Air Cards: which is better Sprint or Verizon?
Verizon has great coverage except in the Georgia marsh areas.
Sprint offers better pricing. [May'09]
Verizon air card is compatible with Vista.

Query: What phone services are available in the Bahamas?
Suggestions:
Use a callback service from Florida.
Buy a cell phone direct from Batelco.
Buy a cell phone in Marsh Harbor (non-Batelco).
Use Skype or Magic Jack when in wifi range.

Magic Jack
An alternative to Skype. Purchase the hardware device for about $40. Long distance calls are free to U.S. and Canada. Voicemail included. This online phone service is only $20/year. [2008] (Trumpeter)

Rogers
Rogers is a reliable phone service in Canada. (Undine II)

Skype
Skype has a feature to transfer incoming phone messages to your Skype account. The messages can be picked up with an online connection. Set this up in advance of need. Nominal fees apply. (Blackfoot)
Skype uses high bandwidth which can slow down other computers sharing the same wifi connection. (Scaramouche)

Sprint
Sprint Smart Phone can connect to wifi without a phone fee. (Valkyrie)

Verizon
Get a free online backup of your contacts list. This worked perfectly when upgrading our phone. (Salty Paws)
This link determines if a ten digit phone number is part of their system. This is good to know because Verizon to Verizon (in-network) phone calls don't subtract from your monthly minute allotment. (Salty Paws)

Vonage
Vonage cell phones have an internet interface. (C_Language)

(also wifi)

Query: What can I use to clean up photo slides?
Comments:
Use kits from camera shops, which may include brushes with an air bulb, compressed air, spray cleaners, or micro fiber cloths.
Scan them, then use photo software to clean the digital copy.
Use a professional cleaning service.  Photo Tips also offers advice:

Photo Tips by Jim; Salty Paws Photo Tips and More

(also cameras)

Repairing with plastic
Battery case was repaired with a soldering gun with a flat blade tip for welding plastic. Used a plastic bondo spreader/paddle as welding material.
(Dyad)
Water tank was repaired by soldering polystyrene into the crack with a kit from a hobby store. It's still holding after 12 years. (Windswept IV)
Comments:
You can also use this method to repair holding tanks. (St Jude)
PVC cleaner may be helpful with prep work. It roughens the surface.

Star Board
When no adhesive will stick to it, try scorching it with a torch (think marshmallows). If still no adhesion, use hardware fittings. (Salty Paws)

Scotch-Weld Acrylic Structural Adhesive will bond star board to star board. (Shearwater)

Repairing Plastic Parts
Use dacron or nylon thread or unwaxed dental floss to wrap a broken plastic part.  Then coat it in Super Glue.  (C_Language)

RECOMMENDED
Harbor Freight Tools carries a kit with a heat gun and various sizes of polypropylene for 'welding repairs' for under $25. (St Jude)

Split pool noodles on posts for Bimini top. (Cookie Monster)
Cover them with canvas and they'll last virtually forever. (Dragon Seeker)

(also canvas work)

PAINT STRIPPERS
Citristrip is an organic compound paint stripper that actually works. It's a gel; water soluble.  Did not harm fiberglass. (Gypsy)

It's the greatest stuff. One coat is usually enough to strip urethane. Do protect plastics in the working area, as per instructions. It also will remove Super Glue.  Reasonably priced and easily available. (Salty Paws)

Tip: Cover paint stripper with saran wrap to keep it moist and working longer. (C_Language)

RESIDUE REMOVAL
P.B. Blaster stains clear silicone a fluorescent orange, allowing you to see it for removal. (Salty Paws)
Acetone will remove contact cement and silicone residue. (Salty Paws)
Lighter fluid will remove the last remnants of silicone. (Dyad)
Totally Awesome removes oil residue. (Destiny)

PROTECTING YOUR HANDS
Latex gloves dissolve in some chemicals like hydrocarbons.  Vinyl gloves won't deteriorate.  There are now latex gloves available which are covered in neoprene (green in color).  They're reusable like dish washing gloves, but they don't tear like them.  Find them in grocery stores. (Salty Paws)

FYI: Acetone dissolves latex and vinyl.

A good, small sized pressure washer can be found
at WallyWorld for around $30.   Easy to store onboard. Works well.  But due to it's size, it works best for small areas at a 6" distance.  (Salty Paws)
.

Query: Is there an ink jet printer on the market that runs on 12 volts?
Comments:
HP makes one. It's relatively expensive compared to regular printers.
HP Deskjet 450 is no longer made.
HP Deskjet 460 is available. Requires 110 AC to charge.
Use a $10 50W power inverter.

INK
Ink jet printers use their own ink to lubricate themselves, so manufacturers recommend turning off the machine with the printer button rather than by power strip.  That's so it can shut down properly.  (Salty Paws)

To revive dried ink cartridges, soak in warm water, then shake it up and slap it a bit with fingers. (C_Language)
Store unused ink cartridges in the fridge.

RECOMMENDED
Laser printers. The cost is coming down. The cartridges cost the same as ink jet cartridges, but they're good for 1500 copies. (Salty Paws)

Issue: Propane sensor alarm goes off too easily; hypersensitive. Cannot turn on gas while alarm is on.
Comments:
Clean the surface of the sensor.
Clean it with a vacuum cleaner.
Give the sensor a rap on a hard surface to dislodge any debris.
There is a small heating coil inside.
Green wire - disconnect sensor line.
Connect green wire to ground (black) wire.
12 volt between green and black to test.
Add a switch to the solenoid.
Bypass the sensor altogether.
It goes out of calibration after 3-4 years of use.
Test it by putting it into a bag and spray butane into it.

Heads Up
The hose from propane tank to regulator should be checked from time to time. They shrink back after years of use and leak. It's inexpensive to replace at about $20. (Dyad)

(also galley tips)

Query: How to temporarily repair a spun prop?
Comments:
Heat and remelt the hub. (St Jude)
Newer props have plastic hubs which are interchangeable. (Toucan Dream)

Query: What size prop to use after swapping the transmission to a higher ratio?
Comments:
You'll need to know the pitch and diameter.
Refer to: "The Propeller Handbook" by Dave Gerr.

PAINT
Propspeed is good prop antifouling paint. "Works because it's slick, not because it's toxic."  It has a similar application to the Pettit system, and Manta recommends it for their boats. Re-application is less intensive than the initial application. (Mon Amie)

Pettit metal primer (applied Nov 2009) on props failed. All paint has been removed. (Dyad) [Feb 2010]

Pettit brand prop coating system works very well. Costs less than other competitive products. Lasts up to three seasons. (Beluga)

Cold galvanizing zinc spray does not work, as it peels off underway. (Salty Paws)

Success with prop sprayed with zinc chromate in March 2009. It prevented growth for long-term dockside. Good prep work is critical. (Shining Star)
Update: It's still working while cruising in the Bahamas. Pettit Barnacle Block is the brand; $18 - $20 range. [June 2010] (Shining Star)
Comments:
Thumbs Up (Destiny)
Aircraft supply companies may also carry this. (Aquavit)

Pettit #1792 is a galvanizing zinc paint in an aerosol can. (Shamal)

Paint prop with a black Sharpie pen. It repels growth. Use the Sharpie that says "harmful if swallowed" not the ones made for school kids. (Salty Paws, Slow Mocean)
Comments:
Excellent results reported among other boaters at our marina. (Windswept IV)
I used a Sharpie on a prop and let it sit idle in sea water for 6-7 months. No growth. (Naked Lady)

Non-Paint Protection
For longterm dockside.  Cover props with a plastic bag containing 1 cup bleach OR ammonia (not both).  The bag prevents water flow and prevents and smothers any growth.

Use Lanocote on props as a growth barrier.  Works well when boat is not moving for long periods of time. (Valkyrie)

things that work
Get a dinghy prop with a bit less pitch in order to get onto plane. (Cat Tales)

Recommended
Solas brand stainless steel props for outboards.  Costs more, but will last "forever". (Dyad)

(also running gear)

Use ArmorAll on rubber parts to extend their life. It's a water-based product and can be used on indoor parts. (Zephyr)

Oil-based protectants are great for items out in the elements. We recommend Black Magic brand Pro Shine.  (Salty Paws)